JACKSONVILLE, FLA.- The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Board of Trustees announced the appointment of three new members: Mari Kuraishi, Ashley Stein Wotiz and Preeti Swani. The new trustees were elected in May 2019, and will each serve a five-year term.

Board of Trustees Chair Ricardo “Rick” Morales, III highlighted the value of the new members’ diverse professional and personal experiences to ensuring the Museum’s governing body reflects the broader Northeast Florida community.

“Mari, Ashley and Preeti bring different strengths to the board, but they all share one trait that is of singular importance: a desire to serve others,” said Morales. “Our board is stronger as a result of their presence. Their insights and perspectives will benefit all of our Members and visitors as we seek new and innovative ways to fulfill Ninah Cummer’s vision of creating a center of beauty and culture worthy of the community.”

Mari Kuraishi is the president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. Previously, she served as co-founder and president of GlobalGiving; she continues to serve on its board. Her past experience also includes time at World Bank, where she managed and created some of the Bank’s most innovative loans. Kuraishi, a global leader who speaks five languages in addition to her native Japanese, was recognized in 2011 as one of Foreign Policy’s top 100 Global Thinkers for “crowdsourcing worldsaving.” She earned an undergraduate degree in history from Harvard University and completed graduate work in Russian and Japanese history and politics at Harvard and Georgetown Universities. She has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Ashley Stein Wotiz brings a passion for service and experience in fine art, fashion, decorative arts and interior design to her role as a Museum trustee. A Jacksonville native, she currently supports numerous philanthropic organizations, including the Weaver Philanthropic Initiative through The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Bolles Parent Association. While living in New York City, she volunteered with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Central Park Conservancy, Change Your Story, Create Your Life and the Episcopal School in the City of New York. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from Hollins University, as well as a certificate in the fine and decorative arts program at Sotheby’s.

Preeti Swani is an entrepreneur whose career experience spans the banking, technology and art industries, alongside a passion for her Indian heritage. She recently founded two businesses after relocating from New York to Jacksonville: Oculus Art Partners and DZ Media Ventures. Her past professional experiences include time spent as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and a technology investor at General Atlantic and Scout Capital. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and operations research from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University. Her passion for education has led her to serve as a trustee for The Bolles School; she held a similar role at The Hewitt School in New York, where she played a key role in the hiring of Dr. Tara Kinsey from Princeton University as Head of School.

“The Cummer Museum is committed to ensuring the rich diversity of the Northeast Florida community is reflected not only in the works we display, but also in the leaders we task with the critical work of guiding our long-term success,” said Adam Levine, the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer. “Mari, Ashley and Preeti reflect the qualities we seek in all trustees: commitment to community, intellectual curiosity and a passion for increasing access to the arts. We are delighted to welcome them to our board.”